The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set for their biggest game of the season in Week 16 in a showdown with the Carolina Panthers that will go a long way in determining the NFC South champion.
Going into Carolina with so much at stake against a young, hungry Panthers team won’t be an easy task for the Buccaneers, but big performances from a few key players will help Tampa Bay escape with a crucial victory.
3 bold predictions for Buccaneers vs. Panthers in Week 16
Mike Evans continues his dominance against the Panthers
In his return from injury against the Falcons last week, Evans erupted back onto the scene. He caught 6 passes for 132 yards and also drew multiple defensive penalties.
Evans did everything except score a touchdown, but that changes on Sunday. In 21 career games against the Panthers, Evans has 14 touchdown receptions. In his career, he’s had the most success against Carolina, as they’re the team he has the most receptions, yards, and touchdowns against.
With the division on the line in Week 16, Evans will rise to the occasion and be a major factor for the Buccaneers.
Bold Prediction: Evans posts another 100 yard day and finds the end zone for a TD
Baker Mayfield bounces back against his former team
A lot has been made about the Panthers giving up on Baker Mayfield too quickly during his short stint with the team.
Mayfield has always played his best football with a chip on his shoulder, and returning to Carolina on Sunday gives him a golden opportunity to do just that. He’ll be going against his former team with the NFC South title on the line, and it feels like the type of game that Mayfield will deliver a peak performance.
Mayfield needs a rebound game as he’s struggled throughout the second half of the season. He’ll get the job done in Week 16 and return to the MVP form he displayed in the first half of the season.
Bold Prediction: Mayfield throws 3 touchdowns and leads the Bucs to a crucial win
Emeka Egbuka makes his case for Offensive Rookie of the Year
Emeka Egbuka and Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan are two of the biggest favorites for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Currently, they have almost identical stats with almost no separation in yards or receptions, and they each have 6 touchdown receptions.
In these final three weeks, they play each other twice. Their production against each other could prove to sway the outcome in the award chase. Egbuka will put his stamp on the race with a huge game against Carolina and take a big step towards earning the coveted hardware.
Bold Prediction: Egbuka outperforms McMillan and records his first 100-yard game since Week 10.